With Hernandez injury, Dodgers look to Deadline

WASHINGTON -- Asked if Kiké Hernández’s left hand injury might sideline the utility man for a month’s time, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts took the under.

Still, the Dodgers’ depth at middle infield until his eventual return is drastically thin. Without Hernandez -- and Chris Taylor, who is out indefinitely with a left forearm fracture -- Los Angeles does not have a true backup for Corey Seager at short, although Max Muncy could be used in an emergency role.

The solution, Roberts said Sunday, may have to come from outside the organization with Wednesday’s Trade Deadline looming.

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“I’m not sure yet. I don’t know,” Roberts said when asked if the backup will come from in-house. “Potentially, but there’s also a potential that it might come from outside the organization. I’m not sure yet.”

Hernandez, who left Wednesday’s loss to the Angels after an awkward swing-and-miss, is expected to go on the injured list come Monday. He can’t swing a bat comfortably, but he was kept on the active roster for the series in D.C. as a pure defensive replacement or pinch-running option.

Searching for middle infield replacements from outside the organization at the Deadline is not an anomaly for the Dodgers. Most famously, Los Angeles acquired Manny Machado in July of last year and he played a large part in fueling the Dodgers’ run to their second consecutive World Series appearance.

Roberts demurred Saturday when asked if Gavin Lux, the 21-year-old who is the organization’s top-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, could be that replacement. Lux is putting up monstrous numbers with Triple-A Oklahoma City -- batting .479/.550/.926 with eight homers and 27 RBIs -- but he has fewer than 100 at-bats at that level.

Bringing him up to both not get consistent at-bats and not start is not an option, Roberts said.

“I would say not,” Roberts said Saturday. “As with most teams with young players that need at-bats to come here, to not play consistently doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”

Taylor’s return may come sooner than later, however. Out since fracturing his left forearm when he was hit by a pitch July 14, it’ll end up coming down to pain tolerance for Taylor.

“His body is in shape, just have to let that thing heal up and it’s going to be per his tolerance as far as handling the pain,” Roberts said. “And he has a high tolerance, so I expect him back sooner than later, whenever that is.”

Roberts feels either path the Dodgers take before the Deadline -- whether it be to bolster the bullpen and find an infield backup or, less likely, hold pat -- will not alter his confidence as the Dodgers hurtle towards a seventh consecutive National League West title.

“If nothing happens, that right there is to say the confidence the organization has in that group that’s in the clubhouse,” Roberts said. “I feel a lot of peace and solace knowing whatever we do or don’t do is going to be the best for our ballclub for ’19.”